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Test cricket takes a back seat, as New Zealand hit our shores for a three-match One-Day International series against Australia, in a repeat of the 2015 World Cup final.
While the series may feel a little squeezed into the middle of the summer, there is plenty riding on it particularly given both sides’ recent form and spots up for grabs.
Australia have struggled in both the ODI and Test formats against a rampant Proteas team, while the Kiwis last ODI series saw them get hammered by India.
The tourists have held their own in a home Test series against Pakistan, restoring some much-needed confidence to the camp after their disastrous trip to India.
The rivalry between the Trans-Tasman rivals has been stunted in recent times, with no games played between the 2011 and 2015 world cups so to see the teams playing more regular cricket, even in a series like this one is positive for the game in this region.
Their contests at the World Cup and in the ensuing Chappell-Hadlee Trophy this year were fantastic all the way with plenty of high-quality cricket and nothing less should be expected here.
The recent history between the sides tips the ledger in the favour of New Zealand, who have won three of the last five meetings, even if four of them were played in New Zealand, and the one in Australia being the world cup final in front of 90,000 people.
The longer range history has Australia well ahead of their local rivals which includes 13 out of 21 victories when playing at the Sydney Cricket Ground.
History
Last five meetings
February 8 2016 – New Zealand won by 55 runs at Seddon Park, Hamilton
February 6 2016 – Australia won by 4 wickets at Westpac Stadium, Wellington
February 3 2016 – New Zealand won by 159 runs at Eden Park, Auckland
March 29 2015, (world cup final) – Australia won by 7 wickets at Melbourne Cricket Ground, Melbourne
February 28 2015, (world cup match 20) – New Zealand won by 1 wicket at Eden Park, AucklandLast five series
2016 – New Zealand defeat Australia 2-1 (in New Zealand)
2015 – New Zealand defeat Australia 1-0 (world cup)
2011 – Australia defeat New Zealand 1-0 (world cup)
2010 – Australia defeat New Zealand 3-2 (in New Zealand)
2009 – Drawn 2-2 (in Australia)
David Warner gets to be himself and it could end badly for the tourists
Warner had an up and down Test series against the Proteas, and while he is unlikely to play in all three games of this ODI series, it could be a disaster for the Kiwis when he does play.
His dismissal in Hobart was certainly the low point of his summer, but this will give him a chance to build back into form and simply be himself with the bat.
If that doesn’t concern an opposition captain, then nothing ever will. With his added composure these days to play out spells of good bowling, Warner’s plan will be to bat for 50 overs and score big. Extremely big.
The stage is set and if Warner goes off, with Finch at the other end it could become a very long three-match tour for the Black Caps.
The battle for spots
This is not exclusive to either side and could bring out some massive individual performances throughout the series.
Even looking at the players missing out on the final XIs is a challenge, with the likes of Travis Head and Pat Cummins battering down the door for the Aussies, while Matt Henry, Colin Munro and Tom Astle are all in with a chance of making the Kiwi XI.
New Zealand have had plenty of opportunities presented through injury with Ross Taylor, Corey Anderson, Doug Bracewell, Anton Devcich, Luke Ronchi and spinner Ish Sodhi all unavailable.
Most of those players have been permanent fixtures in the Kiwi ODI side at some point in the last 12 months and so the players coming in are going to be under pressure to perform and keep their spots.
It’s the same deal in the Aussie setup with players who have been in the ODI team missing out. Even going back to the disastrous tour of South Africa and there are members of that side who could be worthy of a prolonged shot in the side.
The Kane Williamson factor
Williamson has stepped into the Kiwi captaincy gig since Brendon McCullum retired with absolute brilliance.
If anything, his game has gone up a level, with runs coming with ease. When everyone else seemed to be failing on the tour of India, he consistently made runs and continually showed his class.
While batting conditions should be easier here in Australia, Williamson will again be the key and allowing him to get in at the crease is not only going to cost runs off his blade, but more from others as they are able to attack around the anchor to the innings.
New ball periods will be crucial
The calibre of opening bowlers on both sides only needs to be mentioned by name to know exactly how crucial the early period of each innings are – Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood, Tim Southee and Trent Boult.
They are two formidable pairs of opening bowlers, and if there is so much as a little bit of assistance then toe-crushing yorkers and movement off the pitch is going to be normal in the first ten overs of each innings.
The powerplay that opens the innings is so often seen as the time to not only build a platform but get a big start run rate wise.
Simply put, teams that attempt to attack for a decent run rate in the early going could well struggle to keep their wickets intact and build that platform, which is so crucial for the middle overs of the innings.
So whichever pair of opening batsmen can thwart the early threat of said bowlers will have their team in a much better position moving forward throughout the game.
For that reason as well, it’s foreseeable that both sides could be keen to bowl first – although if roads are served up for wickets that line of thought could be shut down.
New Zealand’s debutants will provide plenty with the ball
It should be mentioned that Colin de GrandHomme isn’t exactly a debutant, having played an ODI for the Kiwis in 2012 and playing a starring role in the recent Test series against Pakistan, but for the point of this let’s classify him as one.
He is joined in the squad by fellow bowler 25-year old left-arm quick Lockie Ferguson who is in the squad.
While some sections of the media will call for the more experienced Matt Henry to take his spot in the side as the third pace option, New Zealand have had plenty of success with rookies in the last month.
Jeet Raval, who hasn’t been named on this ODI tour has been New Zealand’s best against Pakistan with the bat, and GrandHomme took plenty of wickets with the ball.
Ferguson, who has pure pace has only played 22 first class games and eight List A games but is ready for the step up, regularly bowling into the 140s and early 150km/h region.
He has been touted as a like-for-like replacement to Adam Milne and so is likely to take the third pace bowling spot.
Between him and GrandHomme, who is a little slower but should fill the role of the injured Corey Anderson, batting at seven they will provide some fantastic options for Kane Williamson, and do the job in backing up spearheads Trent Boult and Tim Southee.
Is Mitchell Marsh’s time now?
What to do with the Marsh brothers. It seems to be one of the biggest questions facing Australian Cricket right at the moment and after being dropped from the Test team, Mitchell will get another opportunity to impress in the ODI team.
He should be a walk-up starter as the teams all-rounder for the first match and the pressure will be on early for him to take wickets and score runs.
Essentially, he wants to regain his Test spot. While One Day cricket shouldn’t be an indicator, it’s going to be given he has been plucked out of the Sheffield Shield to play in this series.
Whether he has the temperament for Test cricket or not, he will do his chances of being called back up no harm with some big performances in the coloured clothing.
Key Information
First ball: 2:20pm (AEDT)
Venue: Sydney Cricket Ground, SCG
TV: Live, Nine Network
Online: Cricket Australia Live Pass
Betting: Australia $1.48, New Zealand $2.65
Overall Record: Played 130, Australia 87, New Zealand 37, no result 6
Last five: New Zealand 3, Australia 2
At the SCG: Played 21, Australia 13, New Zealand 6, Drawn 2Hours of play
Start (AEDT) Finish (AEDT) 1st Innings 2:20 PM 5:50 PM Break 5:50 PM 6:35 PM 2nd Innings 6:35 PM 10:05 PM *Times are subject to change due to over rates, game situation, weather
Australia (Likely XI and squad)
1. David Warner (vc)
2. Aaron Finch
3. Steve Smith (c)
4. George Bailey
5. Glenn Maxwell
6. Matthew Wade (wk)
7. Mitchell Marsh
8. James Faulkner
9. Mitchell Starc
10. Josh Hazlewood
11. Adam ZampaHilton Cartwright, Travis Head, Pat Cummins,
New Zealand (Likely XI and squad)
1. Martin Guptill
2. Tom Latham
3. Kane Williamson (c)
4. Henry Nicholls
5. James Neesham
6. BJ Watling
7. Colin de Grandhomme
8. Mitchell Santner
9. Lockie Ferguson
10. Trent Boult
11. Tim SoutheeTodd Astle, Matt Henry, Colin Munro
Series Fixtures
1st Match: December 4, SCG
2nd Match: December 6, Manuka Oval, Canberra
3rd match: December 9, Melbourne Cricket Ground
*All matches start at 2:20pm (AEDT).
The Trans-Tasman rivalry always seems to throw up some cracking games of cricket, and with players on both sides of the coin pushing for selection and to cement spots in the side, the pressure will be on.
At home, Australia with a full strength side should be able to get the job done, and it has to be said New Zealand have lost a real X-Factor in their side since the big-hitting Brendon McCullum pulled stumps on his glittering career.
If Australia can see off Trent Boult and Tim Southee, then they should have enough power in their batting order to pick up the win.
If the Black Caps are to take victory, they are going to need to see off Mitchell Starc and get rid of both David Warner and Aaron Finch early in the piece.
Australia in a close one.
Don’t forget The Roar will have a live blog of each and every day from the summer of cricket as well as highlights throughout the match.
Follow Scott on Twitter @sk_pryde